NFL Week 3: 5 teams that must win

The NFL season is still early, but we are embarking on a time that stands as a must-win for certain teams. While that might seem like an overstatement, there are already a handful of squads looking at an insurmountable hole with another loss. Let’s look at five of them…

5. Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota is a team dealing with a ton of uncertainty. The Vikings were able to handle the Saints with ease in Week 1 before losing in Pittsburgh without quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford’a availability remains doubt for the home date against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Vikings better hope he can play, because they need the win. Another loss, and Minnesota falls to 1-2 and potentially two games behind the Detroit Lions in the wild card race. It’s early, but that’s a tough spot.

4. Dallas Cowboys

This might be a surprise team on this list, but think about it. The Cowboys went into the tank in Week 2, getting beat 42-17 by the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. Dallas needs to get back on track after a week full of chatter centering around whether or not the team quit in the Mile High City. If the Cowboys go to Arizona and lose on Monday night to the Cardinals, there could be real problems starting to brew or a team with huge expectations.

3. New Orleans Saints

This might be the last gasp of the Sean Payton era. Payton has been living off the past for years, and considering he won a Super Bowl with the team back in 2009, perhaps rightfully so. That said, the 0-2 Saints have to find a way to win against the Carolina Panthers on the road, made a touch easier with the foot injury to Greg Olsen. New Orleans can’t afford to drop to 0-3 in this division. If it does, look for another lost year and a coaching change at the end of it.

2. Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have lost two games in the final seconds, both on missed field goals. Now, Los Angeles welcomes in the Kansas City Chiefs, who might be the league’s most impressive team through two weeks, hammering the Patriots and defeating the Eagles. If the Chargers are going to be in the AFC West race, they need to beat the Chiefs and get in the win column. A loss here and the season is kaput.

1. New York Giants

The Giants are in a bad way. New York can’t block, can’t score and can’t win. The Giants had huge expectations entering the season, and while they are only a game behind each of the three other NFC East teams, there is real concern for Big Blue. This week, they travel to take on the Eagles and a front seven as good as any in the league. A win here, and things look much better. It won’t come easy, though.